Ghana Grows Programme to support 90,000 tailors and dressmakers with skills training

Springboard Road Show Foundation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ghana National Tailors and Dressmakers Association (GNTDA) to equip over 90,000 young women, men, and persons with disabilities with the needed skills and personal and career development resources to thrive within the technical and vocational skills industry.

The initiative is part of the Ghana Grows Programme, a collaboration between the Mastercard Foundation and Springboard Road Show Foundation aimed at supporting young people between 15 to 35 years especially, women and persons with disabilities to find decent and viable jobs within the agriculture, agribusiness and Agriculture Technical Vocational Education and Training (ATVET) sectors.

This partnership aims to equip current and prospective members of the GNTDA, empowering them to become more productive and resourceful individuals. The efforts focus on inspiring young GNTDA apprentices and Mastercraft persons to recognize the potential for growth and innovation within Ghana’s TVET industry.

In an interview, Comfort Ocran, Executive Director of the Springboard Road Show Foundation noted, “We want to see every young tailor and dressmaker reach their full potential, not just for themselves but for their families and Ghana as a whole. Our joy is full when we are able to help young people thrive and become meaningful individuals with viable jobs contributing to the development of our nation.”

By joining forces with GNTDA, Springboard, through the Ghana Grows Programme, will deepen awareness about the vast opportunities within the technical and vocational skills sector and provide all members with learning, mentoring, and training opportunities as well as psychosocial support from professional counsellors. 

Mrs. Joana Eshun Mensah, the National President of GNTDA, encouraged members of the association to take advantage of the support from the foundation, “These kinds of opportunities only come once in a while. I entreat all members of GNTDA to utilize this opportunity from Springboard Road Show Foundation to the fullest. I believe it will be beneficial to us all.”

For over 16 years, the Springboard Road Show Foundation has focused on investing in the skills and well-being of youth. In collaboration with its partners, including Lyme Haus, Axis Human Capital, Meraki Arts Africa, the Ghana Psychological Association, Ghana TVET Service, the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations, the Federation of Associations of Ghanaian Exporters, Young and Vibe and over a hundred others, the foundation aims to provide comprehensive support.

Comfort Ocran concluded by encouraging all Mastercraft persons and apprentices under GNTDA to be onboarded to participate in the programme and fully participate in all the interventions being rolled out nationwide.

About Ghana Grows

The Ghana Grows Programme is an initiative of the Mastercard Foundation and is being implemented by a consortium led by Springboard Road Show Foundation. Lyme Haus is a sub-implementing partner. Other technical partners are Axis Human Capital, Meraki Arts Africa, Ghana Federation of the Disabled (GFD), Ghana Psychological Association (GPA), Young & Vibe, and the Federation of Associations of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE).